What is Environmental Scientist?

Environmental chemistry focuses on the presence and impact of chemicals in soil, surface water, and groundwater. Environmental chemists study how chemicals - usually contaminants - move through the environment. This is referred to as chemical “fate and transport”. They also study the effects of these contaminants on ecosystems, animals, and human health.

What Does an Environmental Chemist Do?

Environmental chemists advise on the movement and outcome of contaminants in soil and groundwater, assess long-term risks to ecological and human health, apply for environmental permits to undertake corrective strategies, classify contaminated soils as hazardous waste and manage their disposal, and supervise onsite remediation.

In addition to working in the field, the may also conduct laboratory work. For example, they may analyze chemical interactions or relationships using chromatography or spectroscopy techniques. They may also take measurements, interpret data, and use computers to model chemical fate and transport. Environmental chemists may also write reports or academic papers to communicate their findings to clients or colleagues.

Where Does an Environmental Chemist Work?

Most environmental chemists are employed by remediation firms and environmental consulting companies. Professionals in these positions may travel to reach job sites and meet with clients and legislators. These professionals have more interaction with others and greater variety of work than many other chemists who work in isolation in laboratories.

Environmental chemists may also work for state and federal government land management and regulatory agencies. They may also teach and conduct research as faculty members in academia.

Environmental chemists may be exposed to contaminants and hazardous conditions in the course of their work. Wearing protective equipment and following established safety procedures is important when working in a laboratory, or at a contaminated work site.

What Is the Average Environmental Chemistry Salary?

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't collect information on environmental chemists specifically, the mean annual wage for chemists overall was $77, 740 in May 2013.

State

Total Employment

Bottom 25%

Median Salary

Top 75%

Alabama

810

$51, 070

$67, 890

$88, 160

Alaska

100

$62, 340

$79, 110

$101, 940

Arizona

670

$48, 210

$62, 910

$79, 060

Arkansas

470

$51, 530

$68, 810

$89, 450

California

13, 250

$55, 350

$74, 020

$97, 600

Colorado

1, 560

$51, 820

$70, 800

$95, 330

Connecticut

1, 490

$57, 070

$78, 900

$102, 780

Delaware

3, 460

$69, 830

$88, 870

$116, 840

District of Columbia

310

$92, 000

$112, 760

$136, 120

Florida

2, 160

$44, 140

$59, 220

$83, 160

Georgia

1, 330

$55, 110

$76, 310

$94, 900

Hawaii

160

$44, 720

$56, 140

$70, 940

Idaho

240

$48, 450

$73, 840

$101, 100

Illinois

3, 430

$49, 570

$68, 610

$91, 860

Indiana

2, 430

$44, 870

$56, 560

$80, 850

Iowa

580

$52, 540

$64, 700

$76, 950

Kansas

640

$45, 970

$57, 350

$78, 000

Kentucky

$46, 020

$59, 280

$84, 960

Louisiana

700

$54, 370

$72, 650

$94, 720

Maine

110

$47, 640

$56, 580

$81, 020

Maryland

3, 240

$105, 120

$129, 760

Massachusetts

3, 760

$52, 860

$74, 780

$105, 460

Michigan

3, 500

$52, 320

$70, 670

$95, 180

Minnesota

1, 660

$64, 340

$89, 990

$115, 290

Mississippi

320

$63, 510

$79, 790

$96, 750

Missouri

2, 120

$47, 320

$65, 210

$86, 450

Montana

150

$42, 450

$52, 340

$71, 410

Nebraska

480

$49, 070

$60, 370

$82, 550

Nevada

300

$53, 600

$71, 690

$101, 910

New Hampshire

170

$45, 150

$67, 060

$91, 610

New Jersey

5, 740

$62, 970

$81, 910

$105, 660

New Mexico

$50, 040

$71, 390

New York

4, 080

$53, 740

$71, 970

$95, 730

North Carolina

3, 680

$52, 070

$69, 890

$92, 060

North Dakota

120

$51, 710

$64, 560

$84, 390

Ohio

3, 620

$47, 750

$64, 150

$85, 630

Oklahoma

440

$43, 810

$64, 880

$89, 090

Oregon

630

$52, 490

$64, 820

$83, 350

Pennsylvania

5, 920

$57, 360

$75, 410

$99, 610

Puerto Rico

1, 540

$38, 950

$53, 070

$69, 660

Rhode Island

130

$57, 510

$71, 480

$89, 210

South Carolina

740

$48, 980

$66, 850

$89, 460

South Dakota

$42, 610

$49, 250

$59, 710

Tennessee

970

$47, 310

$64, 890

$98, 360

Texas

4, 700

$43, 870

$57, 940

$87, 940

Utah

690

$52, 570

$67, 460

$86, 120

Vermont

70

$59, 950

$81, 300

Virginia

1, 620

$52, 710

$75, 670

$105, 640

Washington

1, 770

$52, 240

$75, 590

$96, 610

West Virginia

380

$43, 630

$51, 500

$61, 200

Wisconsin

1, 370

$51, 920

$65, 230

$78, 920

Wyoming

230

$44, 320

$57, 970

$78, 940

Table data taken from BLS (

Environmental Chemistry Jobs

Environmental chemists work mainly in applied fields analyzing new chemicals and their impact on the environment - they also study the environment's impact on newly created chemicals. While candidates seeking an environmental chemist job may pursue teaching or theoretical research, the larger demand is for these chemists to work in industrial or manufacturing settings. While responsibilities do vary significantly from company to company, the basic scope of an environmental chemist is responsible for can be found below:

Develop data collection methods and systems according to the elements that are under study

Collect information from observations, samples, and specimens

Record and manage records of observations, samples and specimens in the lab and via fieldwork

Use GIS and computer modelling to help forecast and analyze chemical impact

Prepare reports and present research findings to internal and external stakeholders

Communicate with team lead and executive through regular, scheduled reports and presentation of research findings

Advise organizations and policymakers on the short and long-term impact and safety of chemicals in the environment

Review research and literature in the field to stay abreast of current discoveries

A lead environmental chemist or chief researcher may have the following or similar additional responsibilities, depending on the project goals:

Develop and inform project scopes, timelines, and budgetary metrics

Assure quality, integrity, organization, and appropriate tracking of field and lab data

Oversee site integrity to control for chemical impacts

Manage office-based tasks including technical report preparation and submittal, as well as liaising with site stakeholders

Be able to interact with ease while adhering to local norms and area customs

Supervise fieldwork (survey, site recording, testing, monitoring, and data integrity) of one or more field crews

Communicate with funding agencies and individuals through field status reports and presentation of team findings

What Is the Job Demand for Environmental Chemists?

BLS projects that demand for all chemists will grow more slowly (3% to 7%) than average through 2022. However, with around 1, 000 new chemicals introduced into the marketplace every year, the American Chemical Society (ACS) predicts that the demand for environmental chemists in particular will grow.

What Do Environmental Chemists Study?

Environmental chemists usually have at least a bachelor's degree from an ACS-approved chemistry program. Seek out programs offering a concentration in environmental chemistry. Environmental chemists study environmental organic chemistry, a branch of chemistry focusing on how environmental factors influence the fate and transport of organic chemicals. For example, they may examine how air pollutants interact with atmospheric gases, or how plants metabolize and break down contaminants.

They develop a solid background in chemistry as a whole, including organic and biochemistry, and often study related disciplines such as oceanography, biogeochemistry, analytical methods, ecology, biology, geology, and engineering. Coursework generally includes several lab courses, as well as courses on mathematics. Knowledge of software for chemical analysis is also important.

Source: www.environmentalscience.org

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